Peggy Noonan Goes Off On Sarah Palin In Column: "Horrifying"

One of the most refreshingly honest moments of the 2008 campaign came when Peggy Noonan, a columnist and former Republican speechwriter, was caught on a live mike calling the choice of Sarah Palin to run on the Republican ticket "political bullshit." She smoothed over her harsh remarks in a subsequent column, saying she liked Palin even if she wasn't sure the selection would be successful. But now that Palin has announced her plan to resign as Alaska Governor, Noonan apparently feels free to speak openly.

In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.

In another age it might not have been terrible, but here and now it was actually rather horrifying.

Noonan goes on to refute the most popular conservative arguments in Palin's favor, from her supposed working-class credentials to the idea that she upsets the mainstream media.

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Comments

[Cye]

Its refreshing to see a Republican who won't buy into Palin's excuses (and those of her supporters) as to why her VP pick was ultimatly unsuccessful. To suggest, as Palin continually does, that it was the fault of the "Liberal Media", the blogosphere, the Democrats or some other third party, is total dishonesty.

At the end of the day, the voting public could not buy her as a capable leader who could take on the Presidency, should McCain have become unable.

[elr50]

When was McCain ABLE?

[winnie47]

1964.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

Your criticism also kind of
reminds me of your ol pal ronny,
"don't ya think" peggy?
...of course you don't !

[felisa11]

"She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. "

THank you peggy, that line says it all about pitiful palin.

[Areopagite]

gosh that reminds us of a recent two-termer...Whatever made Palin think it could possibly work?

[GOPBossLimbaugh]

Horrifying?

It is said that endurance more than intellect and other powerful personal qualities is decisive in arriving at one's goal. Wait until Americans make the MISTAKE and vote incompetent but persistent Palin President, that's when you guys will know what HORRIFYING really means!
Thought GW was a disaster? Ain't seen NOTHING yet! You Betcha!

[aero56]

And if they think President Obama is all about himself, wow, are they in for a shock. Princess Palin would be intolerable.

[peacegurl48]

Peggy see right through Palin! WOW, loved it.

[Derelict outlaw]

The disintegration of the republican party has them devouring their own babies.

[treadway123]

Liked it when she Vis the Torture, an like it when she tells the trueth about Palin. Use more of her!

[TennGal]

Well, Noonan has been consistent in her opinion of Palin as a lightweight and how her biggest problem is that Palin doesn't know what she doesn't know.

At least she is a Republican and a conservative journalist who will say so. Not like FIX News and that "whipped"-Pat Buchanan.

[Angmorg]

If she cam eacross OK nobody would have minded..palin should stick to sports or Beauty contests

[sansego2000]

What I keep thinking, is what is up with the republican party? This woman to all, except those conservatives that fall in lock goose step for the agenda, knew she was in way too deep. She jumped in the deep end and could not swim. I mean it was obvious right away, what are the republican leaders doing? How are you going to blame someone that has no clue like Palin? When it was the republican party that put her out there. It is almost like blaming a child for not understanding adult things. If it wasn't for her arrogance, I would almost feel sorry for her...ALMOST.

[heyoka]

But what does it say about Peggy Noonan's integrity and concern for the country that she knew full well of Sarah Palin's patent unfitness for high political office but nevertheless supported the McCain Palin ticket until after the election?

[Megaflow]

For some reason, Republicans are a lot more likely to get behind a bad candidate than are the Dems. In some ways it's their greatest strength, but of course when it DOESN'T work, they look really bad.

[JayDDrew]

Very good point. When they go down, they go down together. If the Dems go down over the next 2-4 years, it will be because they can't get their act together and get all on one page. This is why there is still a debate going on about health care, the gay issues have not already been taken care of, there is disagreement on the stimulus package, etc. even with a majority in the House and a now filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. The Senate is still making excuses when they should tell McConnell and his crew to go home till Election, 2010.
There are too many talking heads on the left saying different things and weak leadeship at the top of the House and the Senate.

[Lemeritus]

What does it say about any number of Democrats who got behind Obama even though they thought he was all rhetoric and no plan? I'm just saying... we have a tendency to support the ticket even if we have misgivings. Says more about our party system than perhaps Noonan.

[MixinUpMedicine]

I think you're making a typical Right Wing Assumption that Democrats "went along" with Obama. Instead of realizing that Obama was the best choice in the 2008 campaign, even if they didn't agree w/ everything about the candidate.

The difference here, is that Peggy Noonan, actually believed Palin to be UNQUALIFIED for the post.

[Archivist1000]

Lemeritus: what a ridiculous comment.

Only someone who deliberately doesn't pay attention to what Obama has said and done would say 'he has no plan' ....

Do you even know what the word 'rhetoric' means? Sounds like you are repeating FOX talking points.

However, even if what you said is true ... maybe people got behind Obama because the alternative was an old man who picked a fool to replace him if he died in office. ...

I'm just saying .....

[trinity29]

seems a lot of assumptions being made here. Is there any specific data to suggest that democrats thought Ob.a.ma was all rhetoric and no plan? I remember going to his website and reading about his plans on just about all the issues that I cared. I saw many discussions here during the election about his plans and how many of his supporters debunked the talking point that he is all rhetoric and no plan. Grand statements like that usually do not stand true if they can be falsified easily. I do agree that sometimes people tend to vote party line regardless of the better choice but the criticism that people who supported Obama supported despite realizing that he had no plan is presumptuous.

[mamacat]

She didn't come out and endorse Obama, the way some Republicans did, but she didn't come out and give stump speeches for the Palin ticket, either.

I think it is fair to say that anyone who was interested knew full well what Ms. Noonan thought of the idea of voting for Palin. She said then, and she says now, that Palin has no business in politics or in government, and the majority of moderate Republicans agree with her.

McCain allowed Palin to be forced on him by the Party, and it sealed his fate. Unfortuneately for McCain, moderates are no longer welcomed by the Republican Party, so his choice of running mates was very limited.

[gd h]

palin wasn't forced on him. surely you're kidding.

[TaurusRose]

How could anyone think that McCain's "GOTTCHA" choice of Palin wasn't his, all his, and against many objections. Prior to Palin, the reThug party wouldn't let ole John have his original choice for VP, so McCain picked Palin to show the party his will and tell them to shove it, if he couldn't have his first choice.

[avocats]

"In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.

In another age it might not have been terrible, but here and now it was actually rather horrifying."

Uh oh. I'm agreeing with Peggy Noonan. What universe is this?

[mamacat]

'...out of her depth in a shallow pool.' That is so far the best description ever made of Palin, not only because it is so biting, but because it is so dead-on accureate.

BTW, it is often said that many people are consumed by hatred of Palin. I think that statement is inaccureate. I will admit to hating the idea of what would happen to us if she were ever elected to a national office, but she hasn't given me any reason to hate her personally.

[Cheryl44]

Who cares what Peggy Noonan thinks?

[heyoka]

A few conservative Republicans who for some reasons related to lack of self assurance in their own thinking have not concluded similarly to Peggy Noonan and the rest of us with regard to Sarah Palin a long time ago.

Make no mistake, Peggy Noonan's comments made now are for consumption within Republican ranks.

Except for what effect it may have within that internal debate, and except to the extent that the prior support of Palin among a large number of Republicans including Noonan may tend to help discredit Republicans generally and Noonan in particular, I assure you that I don't care either.

[Melissa]

Peggy Noonon and Maureen Dowdy are obsessed with Sarah. It's getting pretty funny to read their columns week after week. I think there might be a little jealousy involved.

[rhondadavis28]

If the Republican party is going to twist her resignation from quitting into an honorable act, I think they are in for a wake up call.

With every word, John McCain makes in support of Palin's quitting makes me more and more grateful and proud of my vote for Obama.

Is he saying that's what leaders do - quit when the going gets tough?

no way
no how
no palin

The majority of American voters are glad that ticket didn't win.

[InLosAngeles]

American elections boil down to a moment in time. At that moment, we were fortunate enough to have a centrist sounding Obama win and give us some hope we could recapture the magic of this truly special nation. He got the nod with some help from the other side.

Now those votes are gone as polling on personality/charisma are the only one's holding up for BO. Any poll on the economy or defense showing an advantage for Democrats is gone. In fact a lot of us who had mixed feelings about his qualifications are now looking at unprecedented spending, with glorious sounding projects, and it feels like the internet or housing bubble all over again. Except this time, it will be America that is indentured to foreign debtholders, who will control and shape our future for decades.

I think the midterm elections will be a disaster.

[Derelict outlaw]

Yes I agree that the 2010 elections will see further disintegration of incumbents in senior republican former strongholds. The complete destruction and disappearance of the republican brand will await the 2012 re-election of President Obama and the emergence of a stump party of conservatives no longer willing to brand themselves with the distasteful and ineradicable stench of the Bush presidency.

[Fler]

Here's real media news: If the following is not front and center on every newspaper and news website tomorrow morning, I will finally believe that the media is primarily controlled by monied interests:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090712/us-ubs-secrets/

Don't get caught up the "pundits as celebrities" catfights.